Cost of Living Comparison: Calgary & Vancouver

[Jedi Ninja]

^ I don't know, restaurant meals I have found to be cheaper in Vancouver, and better quality at the same price level, particularly for independent restaurants. The following seems to bear this out:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living...ity2=Vancouver

The above does not give a lot of ammunition. Renting a 1 bedroom apartment is about the same cost in both cities, and utility costs are much lower in Vancouver, particularly as they are often included in rent. Vancouver only starts to really get expensive once you start to have a family or try to buy real estate.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Speaking of which, I drove my car with AB plate through that bridge and never got billed for anything. Why's that?

BC and Alberta don't have an agreement on fines for tools and other things,But BC has been pushing hard for it.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Violator

BC and Alberta don't have an agreement on fines for tools and other things,But BC has been pushing hard for it.

You mean I didn't have to pay my photo radar ticket I got coming out of Calgary.

[Winsor_Pilates]

If you're going to be buying a property, bring up Property Transfer Tax as well.

Aside from prices obviously being higher, this is the other big difference in home ownership costs.
It's equal to 1% on the 1st $200,000 & 2% on the balance of the home price. You pay it as a buyer on every property you buy with exemptions only available to first time buyers under a $450,000 price tag.

It's not mortgage-able, so it's a cash expense and could alone be over $10,000 in cost of living difference depending on your property price range.